OLD-FASHIONED GARDEN FLOWERS. 213 



The double forms are not only less vigorous, but the means of 

 propagation are limited ; offsets of only healthy stock should be 

 taken in early summer. A rich retentive loam suits them, or 

 moist vegetable soil would do: shade, however, is the great 

 desideratum ; exposure to full sunshine harms them, even if well 

 moistened at the roots; besides, in such positions red spider is 

 sure to attack them. This mode of propagation is applicable to 

 desirable single varieties, as they cannot be relied upon to pro- 

 duce stock true to themselves from seed. In planting offsets it 

 is a good practice to put them in rather deeply; not only are the 

 new roots emitted from above the old ones, but the heart of the 

 offset seems to be sustained during the warm and, perhaps, dry 

 weather, by being set a trifle below the surface. This I have 

 ever proved to be a sure and quick method in the open garden. 



Flowering period, February to June. 



Primula Capitata. 



ROUND-HEADED PRIMULA; Nat. Ord. PRIMULACE^. 

 HARDY, herbaceous, and perennial. Before referring to this 

 Primula in particular, I would say a word or two respecting 

 hardy and alpine Primulse in general. It may appear strange 

 and, on my part, somewhat presumptuous, when I state that this * 

 section of the Primula family is little known. Gardeners, both 

 old and young, who have seen them in collections, have asked 

 what they were as they stood over them admiring their lovely 

 flowers. They are, however, very distinct on the one hand from 

 the primrose (Primula vulgaris or acaulis) and polyanthus 

 (Primula elatior) sections ; and also from the P. sinensis section 

 the species with so many fine double and single varieties, much 

 grown in our greenhouses, and which, of course, are not hardy. 

 The hardy and distinct species to which I now allude are mostly 

 from alpine habitats, of stunted but neat forms, widely distinct, 

 and very beautiful. 



The British representatives of this class are Primula farinosa 

 and P. Scotica, but from nearly all parts of the temperate zone 

 these lovely subjects have been imported. It may not be out 

 of place to name some of them : P. Allioni, France ; P. amcena, 

 Caucasus; P. auricula, Switzerland; P. Carniolica, Carniola; 

 P. decora, South Europe; P. glaucescens and P. grandis, 

 Switzerland; P. glutinosa, South Europe; P. latifolia, Pyrenees; 

 P. longifolia, Levant ; P. marginata, Switzerland ; P. minima, 

 South Europe; P. nivalis, Dahuria; P. villosa, Switzerland; 

 P. viscosa, Piedmont; P. Wulfeniana, P. spectabilis,P. denticulata, 

 P. luteola, P. Tirolensis, and others, from the Himalayas and 

 North America, all of which I have proved to be of easy 

 culture, either on rockwork, or in pots and cold frames, where, 

 though they may be frozen as hard as the stones amongst which 



